Couple arrested in Miami-Dade County rental scam

Police: Gabriela Salguero, 43, says she stole victim's money to pay for cocaine addiction

Gabriela Salguero, 43, and Frank Perugorria, 22, are accused of collecting deposits from renters and providing them with fraudulent contracts.

DORAL, Fla. – A husband and wife are facing charges in a rental scam involving apartments in Miami-Dade County, police with the Hammock's District said.

Gabriela Salguero, 43, and Frank Perugorria, 22, were arrested last week on charges of grand theft.

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According to an arrest report, from mid-March to May, Salguero collected deposits from the victims in amounts ranging from $1,200 to $1,350, and provided them with fraudulent contracts through her corporation, Real Estate Connection.

Police said Salguero wouldn't answer the victims' calls once they tried to get in contact with her for their apartment keys. 

According to police, Perugorria admitted that he was with Salguero during the transactions and knew she was stealing the victims' money.

Police said the couple also acted as property managers for foreign investors and kept the victims' mortgage payments, causing the properties to go into foreclosure.

Detectives said Salguero was told of the investigation into the scam, and said she immediately began to cry, claiming she was addicted to cocaine and used the money from the scam to pay for her habit.

Salguero also said she knew she was wrong and wanted to pay all of the victims back, police said.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by the couple are asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.